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JAMAICA: Nurses Support Global Campaign Against Abuse of Women and Children

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#Jamaica, April 6, 2018 – Kingston – Nurses in the public health system have pledged to tackle the issue of abuse against women and children through the global campaign, Nursing Now.

The three-year campaign is being undertaken in collaboration with the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and the World Health Organization (WHO), to raise the status of nurses globally, and to maximise the contribution that nursing makes to universal health coverage, women’s empowerment and economic development.

“It has put nurses in a position to look at their mandate of caring and to look at a specific area of violence against women and children,” says Chairman of the Nursing Council of Jamaica (NCJ), Dr. Leila Dehaney.

Outlining the NCJ’s position on the initiative in an interview with JIS News at the recent launch of the Jamaica leg of the campaign, the Chairman says  “this matter is very timely and most appropriate”.

Another aspect of Nursing Now seeks to empower nurses to take their place at the heart of tackling 21st Century health challenges, and to recognise and promote the profession as a key group in the health sector in countries around the world to provide healthcare for all, influence policymakers, and make important social and cultural changes.

Dr. Dehaney says as the health professionals take on the role of reducing violence in an organised form, it is important that nurses implement the plan with strategic thinking, “so that the next generation of nurses and Jamaicans can benefit”.

For Health Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, the mission of Nursing Now and that of nurses is relevant.

“You saw the value that it would offer to the profession – to secure, to advance and to promote the profession,” the Minister says, while commending the nurses for joining the international campaign.  “The cause that Nurses Now represents is in sync with what you represent, and can advocate for that effectively. It is about speaking with one voice to drive an agenda that enhances the profession,” Dr. Tufton adds.

The Minister says that the initiative will enable greater empowerment of nurses, and provide them with the ability and the capacity to prepare themselves to provide greater leadership as an important response to the public health challenges.

For her part, Senior Director of Nursing at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Claudette James, says the group will be forming alliances with other organisations and groups that are working with victims of gender-based violence, to share their vision of broader support for the eradication of the act.

According to the Senior Director, a cadre of equipped nurses and midwives will be trained, and they in turn will utilise their skills for the provision of education and other support to victims.

“We are trying to empower the women to protect themselves,” Mrs. James explains.  She adds that nurses and midwives will be equipped with knowledge and the tools that they need “to offer counselling and to make referrals for victims to receive help, and to overcome violent settings”.

“We are in a position of power to effect change that could empower women and protect our children,” Mrs. James says, adding that the project entails training 100 nurses and midwives to deal with the issue of violence.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Nursing Officer in the Ministry of Health, Shirley Hibbert, says nurses are well positioned to end the violence, as they are at every level of the health system dealing with persons from all segments of the society.  Noting that nurses are part of the local community and are in touch with the “top and bottom of the health system”, Miss Hibbert says they are “primarily placed to promote healthy lifestyles and community service”.

Nursing Now, with backing from the United Kingdom (UK)-based Burdett Trust for Nursing and nursing organisations across the globe, will run to the end of 2020, the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth, and a year when nurses will be celebrated worldwide.

Leaders of the campaign are pushing for improvement in the perception of nurses, to enhance their influence and maximise their contributions to ensure that everyone across the globe has access to health and healthcare.  They are working with partners around the world to advocate for more nurses in leadership positions, to help them achieve more influence; and also help nurses access better education and training, while supporting them to share research and evidence of effective practice.

Jamaica is among five countries whose health systems are being looked at for case studies, where there will be recording and sharing of the lessons learned.  The case studies are focused on countries and organisations that are making progress in prioritising nursing, in keeping with the campaign’s objectives.   Areas of concentration are improvement in services, investment in training and development and support for nurse leaders, and innovation.

By: Garfield L. Angus (JIS)

 

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Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

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Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

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Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

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Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

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